Fintech News from Ireland and around the World

The third Annual Fintech Ireland Summit

1/1/2027

Following the success of the inaugural Fintech Ireland Summit in 2024 and 2025, the Summit returns in 2026.

We have more than 220 attendees ranging from large international fintechs through to indigenous Irish start-ups in attendance represented by the who's who of c-suite executives from across the globe.

Read more here

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The best board advice? Don’t rush [into a Fintech Directorship] (20 February 2025)

31/12/2026

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Inside the Fintech boardroom: Peter Oakes on due diligence, diversity and the power of a continuous learning

Sources:

Peter Oakes - Experienced Fintech and Financial Services Board Director
Peter Oakes is a qualified solicitor, and has a background in regulation, governance, and compliance. Peter has held key positions at the Central Bank of Ireland and led initiatives in fintech. Peter Oakes is a founder of Fintech Ireland.

What’s the most important advice you would give to someone considering a board position?
Be selective and conduct thorough due diligence before accepting any board appointment. It’s not just about joining a club - it’s a serious responsibility. You need to understand the risks involved and ensure you can add unique value to the board. If you don’t have the right expertise or understanding, you could find yourself in the headlines for the wrong reasons. Boards thrive on diversity of thought and experience, so it’s essential to assess whether you bring something different to the table.

How has your career in regulation and governance shaped your approach as a board director?My career began in regulation in Australia, where I witnessed firsthand how governance failures led to a corporate crisis and regulatory overhaul. I later worked with the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) during its formation, and then as Director of Enforcement and Financial Crime at the Central Bank of Ireland during the financial crisis. Those experiences reinforced the importance of strong governance, regulatory compliance, and the role of independent directors in challenging management decisions. I bring that perspective to every board I serve on.

How has Ireland’s fintech sector evolved, and what should NEDs consider before joining a fintech board?
Ireland’s fintech success is partly due to the presence of major US tech firms, the availability of skilled professionals, and strong regulatory frameworks. There are now around 300 indigenous fintech firms and 140 international ones operating in Ireland. However, fintech moves fast, and that means risk. NEDs must be comfortable engaging with entrepreneurs who are scaling rapidly and sometimes breaking conventions. Regulators see risk in that, and it’s up to NEDs to ensure there is strong oversight. If you’re not prepared to challenge management or engage with investors, a fintech board might not be the right fit for you.

What key skills and attributes make for an effective independent non-executive director (INED)?
First, you need to be comfortable analysing financials - profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports. While you don’t have to be a chartered accountant, you must be able to ask the right questions. Independence of thought is also crucial. You’re not there as a cheerleader for management - you’re there to provide oversight and challenge decisions when necessary. Finally, understanding your regulatory obligations is key. If you’re not prepared to be questioned by a regulator, an INED role in financial services may not be for you.

How has your IoD Ireland membership supported your journey as a board director?IoD Ireland has been invaluable to me. When I first joined in 2008, I was looking to deepen my understanding of Irish company law and governance. Completing the Chartered Director programme in 2009 was a great foundation for my board career. Beyond education, the networking opportunities have been exceptional. The IoD provides ongoing professional development, high-quality events, and access to a peer network that is incredibly useful for staying at the forefront of governance trends. The practical business value of membership is undeniable, especially for INEDs who need to stay CPD-compliant and informed.

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Eurosystem call for Expressions of Interest for Digital Euro innovation activities (Central Bank of Ireland Notification)

28/9/2026

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STARTS

On 30 September 2026 14:31:23 innovation <[email protected] > wrote:

Central Bank of Ireland - UNRESTRICTED

Dear All,

Please see below information that you may wish to share with your clients/members.

For Information:
The Eurosystem is inviting firms to build and test new payment features on the digital euro infrastructure during the first half of 2027. If your firm works in payments, retail, fintech, AI or public services, this is an opportunity to work hands-on with the digital euro before any launch decision is made, and to influence how it is designed.

What participants get
Selected firms will work with the ECB to develop and test solutions on the digital euro's core infrastructure. For payment service providers and fintechs, this gives an early view of the features and services you may be expected to offer, and time to develop your product thinking before the wider market. Your work will feed into the design of future releases. The ECB may invite participants to present their results at an event and will publish the key findings, giving your firm visibility with the Eurosystem and with peers across Europe. The ECB will also consider geographic diversity when selecting participants.

Where you could contribute
There are two strands. The experimentation strand runs from January to June 2027 and asks firms to develop and test working features in four areas: electronic receipts built into payments, split payments with multiple payers or recipients, conditional payments that execute automatically when set conditions are met, and new features for payment apps. The exploration strand runs as workshops at the ECB in Frankfurt during the first half of 2027 and looks further ahead at AI in payments (including AI agents and micropayments) and at public uses such as transport, utility bills and smart city services.

What's involved
Experimentation participants will build and test a solution and submit a proof of concept and an outcome report. Exploration participants attend on-site workshops. Joint applications are encouraged, particularly pairings across roles such as a merchant with a PSP or technology provider. The call does not include funding, and a decision to issue the digital euro will only be taken once the EU legislation is adopted.

How to apply
Complete the ECB application form, indicating which strand and focus areas interest you, your motivation, expertise and proposed use case. Send it to [email protected] by 17:00 CET on Monday 9 November 2026. The full call document is available here

Should you have any questions please contact [email protected]

Kind regards,

Innovation Hub Team

ENDS

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Fintech Ireland Map of Regulated Fintech Ecosystem (Payments, Crypto & Crowdfunding) Version 23 (issued 27 September 2026)

27/9/2026

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If you are seeking assistance with a regulatory authorisation as an emoney institution, a payment institution, a CASP or a MiFID firm contact Peter Oakes. Fintech Ireland knows several professional services firms working in these areas.

Peter Oakes has issued Version 23 of the Fintech Ireland Map Regulated Fintech Map on Sunday 27th September 2026. The Map uses data appearing on the registers of the Central Bank of Ireland.

There are a number of changes to this Map from the previous version. These are:

(a) Main change is the removal of the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) Sector given that Ireland ended the transition period for VASPs to Crypto Asset Service Providers (CASPs) at the end of 2025.

(b) Removal of PrimaFinance Limited from both Payment Institutions Authorised and Open Banking (PISP & AISP) Sectors following the withdrawal of its authorisation on 01/04/2026.

(c) Addition of the following firms as Authorised Payment Institutions:

(i) Payward Europe Solutions Limited (i.e. Kraken) authorised on 23/02/2026 to perform payment services 1, 2 , 3a, 3b & 3c;
(ii) Pionew Ireland Ltd (i.e. Webot) authorised to perform payment services 3a, 3b & 3c on 18/02/2026;
(iii) StoneX Digital International Ltd authorised on 27/02/2026 to perform payment services1, 2, 3a, 3b, 3c ;
(iv) Confirmo Ltd authorised on 02/03/2026 to perform payment services 3a, 3b, 3c; and
(v) CCBill IE Limited authorised on 11/06/2026 to perform payment services 3a, 3b & 3c.

(d) Addition of the following firms as Authorised CASPs:

(i) Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited authorised on 22/01/2026 to provide (g) reception and transmission of orders for crypto-assets on behalf of clients;
(ii) Pionew Ireland Limited (i.e. Webot) authorised on 18/12/2026 to provide (a) providing custody and administration of crypto-assets on behalf of clients; (b) operation of a trading platform for crypto-assets; (c) exchange of crypto-assets for funds; (j) providing transfer services for crypto-assets on behalf of clients;
(iii) Push Virtual Assets Ireland Ltd authorised on 12/11/2026 to provide (c) exchange of crypto-assets for funds; (d) exchange of crypto-assets for other crypto-assets;
StoneX Digital International Ltd authorised on 19/12/2025 to provide (a) providing custody and administration of crypto-assets on behalf of clients; (c) exchange of crypto-assets for funds; (d) exchange of crypto-assets for other crypto assets; (e) execution of orders for crypto-assets on behalf of clients; (g) reception and transmission of orders for crypto-assets on behalf of clients; (j) providing transfer services for crypto-assets on behalf of clients; and
Virtu Financial Ireland Limited authorised on 28/04/2026 to provide (c) exchange of crypto-assets for funds; (d) exchange of crypto-assets for other crypto-assets.

(e) Several logos were updated

If you are seeking assistance with a regulatory authorisation as an emoney institution, a payment institution, a CASP or a MiFID firm contact Peter Oakes. Fintech Ireland knows several professional services firms working in these areas.

If your logo or name has changed, please email us at [email protected] with your newer logo (in jpeg / png format) and any name change. If your company is not on the relevant Map and you wish to join, please start the process by completing the Fintech Ireland Survey.

Sign up to our Newsletter here.
Attend the Fintech Ireland Summit here.
Need assistance with an emoney or payments authorisation or an account information service provider or virtual asset services provider registration application, check out Fintech Ireland and CompliReg's handy authorisation guides at https://fintechireland.com/fintech-authorisations.html.

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Legend Trading secures €3m to boost Dublin operations

13/6/2026

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Legend Trading Europe, a Dublin-based fintech that helps businesses move money between traditional payment systems and digital assets, has secured €3.3 million to expand its Irish operations.

The firm, a subsidiary of US-regulated cryptocurrency trading platform Legend Trading, is to use the financing in part to pursue an e-money licence from the Central Bank of Ireland in a move that will allow it to offer both fiat and stablecoin payment services from a single regulated entity.

Legend has been supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland since 2024 and licensed by the regulator under the EU's MiCA crypto rules since late last year.

Peter Oakes, Chairperson, Legend Financial Ireland Limited

Legend Trading Europe, a Dublin-based fintech that helps businesses move money between traditional payment systems and digital assets, has secured €3.3 million to expand its Irish operations. The firm is led by Ciaran O'Hare and chaired by Peter Oakes.

Speaking to the Business Post, Ciaran O'Hare, the firm's chief executive, said the e-money licence application builds on that existing regulatory foundation and "reinforces Ireland's role as the company's European headquarters."

"We employ 12 people here at the moment working across risk, compliance, AML (anti-money laundering) and finance, and a very strong board that includes Peter Oakes and Valerie Lyons," said O'Hare.

He said the company intends to expand its compliance, risk and engineering teams in Dublin.
"I expect that we will double headcount or possibly even triple it over the next two years as we're looking at how we might move some functions that currently sit in the US over here so that we are fully resourced in every department," O'Hare said.

Legend's parent is a global crypto infrastructure firm providing fiat–crypto and crypto–fiat rails to retail, institutional clients, high-net worth individuals, exchanges, wallets, and fintechs. Legend has facilitated tens of billions of dollars in transactions since it was founded six years ago and is used by more than 1,000 institutional traders.

O'Hare said combining electronic money and digital asset services under a single regulated entity would simplify how businesses move between fiat and digital assets.

"We're seeing growing demand from businesses that want access to both traditional payment infrastructure and stablecoin settlement within a regulated framework. Our focus is building that infrastructure within a regulated Irish entity under the supervision of the Central Bank of Ireland," he said.

Hao Chen, founder of Legend Trading, said that having spent the last seven years building liquidity and trading infrastructure for digital assets, the next stage is "enabling businesses to access payments, treasury and settlement services that bridge traditional financial systems and digital asset networks."

"Europe is becoming one of the most important markets for that evolution," he said.

Source: Business Post, Charlie Taylor "Legend Trading secures €3m to boost Dublin operations" 13 June 2026

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The third Annual Fintech Ireland Summit

The best board advice? Don’t rush [into a Fintech Directorship] (20 February 2025)

Inside the Fintech boardroom: Peter Oakes on due diligence, diversity and the power of a continuous learning

Eurosystem call for Expressions of Interest for Digital Euro innovation activities (Central Bank of Ireland Notification)

Fintech Ireland Map of Regulated Fintech Ecosystem (Payments, Crypto & Crowdfunding) Version 23 (issued 27 September 2026)

Legend Trading secures €3m to boost Dublin operations

Author

Archives

Categories

The third Annual Fintech Ireland Summit

The best board advice? Don’t rush [into a Fintech Directorship] (20 February 2025)

​Inside the Fintech boardroom: Peter Oakes on due diligence, diversity and the power of a continuous learning

Eurosystem call for Expressions of Interest for Digital Euro innovation activities (Central Bank of Ireland Notification)

Fintech Ireland Map of Regulated Fintech Ecosystem (Payments, Crypto & Crowdfunding) Version 23 (issued 27 September 2026)

Legend Trading secures €3m to boost Dublin operations

Author

Archives

Categories

Inside the Fintech boardroom: Peter Oakes on due diligence, diversity and the power of a continuous learning